New Ram Joins The Flock

Suffolk & Dorset Rams Ready To Unload

We traveled to the annual PDA Performance Tested Ram & Buck Sale on Saturday and brought home a new Dorset ram. Our friend went with us and got a Suffolk ram for his flock. It's always amusing on the ride home as passing cars, with both kids & adults, stare, smile, & point at the sheep.

Bidding Underway On A Suffolk Ram 

The auction picture above shows an interesting aspect of the sale ... the man seated on the stage is accepting internet bids while the Amish men in the front row join their English counterparts in the live bidding from the floor.  Hair sheep (Dorpers at this sale) seem to be getting more popular as sheep shearers are getting harder to find and year to year wool prices are erratic.  Also, meat goat bucks now far outnumber the rams being tested & sold. In watching the bidders, most of the goats were sold to folks from Eastern PA.

Dorset Ram Settles In At Wild Rose Farm 

2015 PA Performance Tested Ram Sale Results

L to R - #2 Senior Dorset Ram, #2 Suffolk Ram, & #1 Senior Dorset Ram
Arrive In Beaver County, PA!

On Saturday August 1st, Wild Rose Farm headed up to the PDA Livestock Evaluation Center in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA for the 2015 Annual Ram Lamb & Meat Goat Buck Sale.  The facility is on "this side" of State College and we  took a fellow Beaver County sheep producer along with us.  Between the 2 farms, we ended up bringing 3 of the top performance tested rams in the sale home with us!
The #2 index Suffolk and the # 2 index Senior Dorset rams got off the truck at JAS Registered Stock Farm. The #1 Senior Dorset ram, in the front with the red halter, came home with us.

Hollystone Farm #14-78   TW RR 4.25 Adj LEA
Senior Dorset Ram At Wild Rose Farm

Our "best effort" highlights from the 2015 PA Performance Tested Ram Sale:
Suffolks - 6 rams sold, #1 index ram out of McCauley Suffolks sold for $1100 on a phone bid.  Range of sale prices were one at $350 and the rest between $575 & $975.
Dorper - The 1 Senior Dorper out of Pushback in MD sold for $575. Then the 7 additional Junior Dorpers sold. The #1 indexing Dorper @ $800 was out of Black Creek Dorpers.  The prices ranged from $375 to $700 for the remaining 6 Dorpers sold.  1 Dorper was scratched from the sale.
White Dorpers - Top indexing ram out of Scott Mountain sold for $425, & the 2 others (also Scott Mountain)  sold for $400 & $475.
Texel - 7 rams sold with the successful bid on the #1 indexing Texel ram out of Clay-Nob at $900.  The balance of the 6 rams brought between $400 & $475 each.
Dorset - 5 Senior Dorsets sold.  The #1 indexing ram out of Hollystone Farm sold for $475 (that's him above!) and the other 4 Senior Dorset rams saw successful bids ranging from $400 to $700.
The Junior Dorset walked.
Hampshire - The top indexing Hampshire walked and the 3 other RR rams sold in sale order at $600, $400, & $350 respectively.
Shropshire - The top indexing Shrop out of Clay-Nob sold for $350 and the 2nd Shrop walked.
Both the Natural Colored & Crossbred rams walked.
A disclaimer here since we could have missed an exact bid amount & we did miss one of the Senior Dorset rams in the flurry after our bids ... :~0  There was also some spirited bidding on the Dorper, White Dorper, Texel, & Dorset ewes offered after the main sale, but we had to clear out to load up the rams, so we missed half of that action.
We do have to say that the sale was well organized this year and the paperwork & help with loading was quick!

Thanksgiving Weekend At Wild Rose Farm

Wild Rose Farm Ewes At Dusk Feeding Time

We had a typical Thanksgiving weekend here at Wild Rose Farm.  Those who have been following us know that this is the weekend when we put the rams in with the ewes to kick off the breeding season.  That timing puts our lambing season in late April/early May. 
This year we are using 2 rams.  The first is our new performance tested Dorset ram & he has 30 ewes.  The second is our homebred horned Rambouillet ram.  He has 12 ewes, none of them yearlings because they're all his siblings ..... his dam is also in with the Dorset ram.  We will use him just for this breeding season and then he will be sold.  If you're in the market for a young registered Rambouillet ram, he's your man!   He would also add some fine wool to a commercial flock.
By the time we got done working with the sheep on Friday, it was getting late, as you can see.  The groups are now in 2 different pastures.
Both rams got right down to business and here is "U" below with the the Dorset ram courting along side ..... you can see his harness if you look closely.

Wild Rose Farm Performance Tested Dorset Ram & "U"

Current standings as of Sunday afternoon?  Rambouillet ram six, Dorset ram four. 
We still have the 2 registered Rambouillet & 2 Dorset/Rambouillet x-bred yearling ewes for sale .... they are in with the Dorset ram, so they can be purchased as "exposed or bred" ewes. 
We still have some spring ewe lambs for sale too ...... Christmas is coming!

It's Almost Time!

Wild Rose Farm Ewes Grazing After Light Snow

We had an inch or two of snow last night and the temps were in the 20's today.  It wasn't too bad outside since the sun was shining while we were working with the sheep.  Look closely and you can see the ewes have green numbers on their hips in preparation for the start of breeding season.  We added flock number ear tags to the yearlings, trimmed them up as needed, and sprayed on their tag numbers ..... it's much easier to read a big painted number than try to read the ear tags when we're looking to see which ewe has been marked as being bred by the ram.  We'll be using more than 1 rams this year.  The new Dorset ram from the PA Performance Tested Ram Sale will be in with most of the ewes.  He is definitely eager to get out with the ewes .......

Dorset Ram Standing Up And Watching The Ewes!

We'll also use the Rambouillet rams on select groups of Rambouillet ewes.  The rams will go in over the Thanksgiving weekend.  We ordered crayons for the breeding harnesses & FedEx tracking says that they're on the way! 


Wild Rose Farm Yearling Rambouillet Ram #339

2013 PA Perfomance Tested Ram Sale Results

Suffolk Ram Heads To The Barn At JAS Registered Stock Farm

Our last post ended as the truck pulled in at JAS Registered Stock Farm & we dropped off the Suffolk ram - you can bet he was an RR ram!  We haven't seen the auction results posted yet, so here are some highlights from the  2013 Pennsylvania Performance Tested Ram Sale :
Suffolk rams - 7 offered/sold - Top indexing ram sold for $475 & price ranges from $350 to 2 rams that sold for $750 each.  Texels - 6 offered/sold - Top indexing ram sold for $550 & price ranges from $450 to $725.  These chunky rams are definitely becoming more popular.  Senior Dorpers - 2 offered & sold for $300 each.  Junior Dorpers - 7 offered/5 sold/2 walked - Top indexing ram sold for $1050 - others sold for $300 - $325.  White Dorpers - 2 offered/sold - Top indexing ram sold for $725, 2nd ram sold for $550.

Maple Spring Farms - Lovell 13-566 TW RR 4.21 LEA

Senior Dorsets - 6 offered/sold - Top indexing fall born ram above sold to Wild Rose Farm for $600 - others sold for $375 - $650.  Junior Dorsets - 2 offered/sold - Top indexing ram sold for $500, 2nd ram sold for $450. The Shopshire ram from Calvert Farm sold for $600.  Katadin - 3 offered/2 sold - the top indexing ram was walked, the other 2 sold for $600 & $300.  Polypay - 2 offered/1 sold - Top indexing ram sold for $300.  Hampshire - 2 offered/sold - Top indexing ram sold for $450 & 2nd for $350 - both were RR.  Southdown - 1 ram - walked.  And the story of the day - the Merino ram - an entry from Robert Calvert of Calvert Farm sold for $1000.  This QR twin represents years of progress in breeding Merinos and was a great looking ram ..... unfortunately, my picture was blurred, but you can see him in the on-line sale catalog Lot # 138.
Yes, we dabble in Dorsets as a cross when we have enough Rambouillets.  They make a great cross and a good ram, like this performance tested ram, sires some nice replacement females and meaty market lambs.  We can also get some nice longer staple spinning fleeces from the x-bred ewes.
Oh - and here are some of the Suffolk ewes at JAS Farm ...... since we have the same sheep shearer, I may be able to get a fleece or two by spring for my friend Feisty!  You know who you are ..... :)

Suffolk Ewes & Polled Hereford Cattle

Thanks once again to the registered sheep producers who make this sale possible by sending their best rams in to be performance tested.  Not all of the rams make it to the sale - the top indexing rams are considered "flock improvers". 

Ram Sale

2013 PA Performance Tested Ram Sale - Suffolk Ram In Ring

Wild Rose Farm went to the 2013 Pennsylvania Performance Tested Ram Sale on Saturday.  We were successful bidders and brought home a new Polled Dorset ram for our crossbreeding program.
The picture below shows our Senior Dorset ram behind a Suffolk ram purchased by our friend who rode up to the sale with us.  More sale details & pictures later ..... it's been a busy weekend!

 

Suffolk & Dorset Rams - Time To Unload The Suffolk ...

When The Farmer's Away ....

As We Found It At Evening Feeding Time!

When the farmer's away, the donkey will play!  Glenda had all day to herself and the Loafing Shed proved to be too much to ignore.  While we were away at the PA Performance Tested Ram Sale, the amusement started at Wild Rose Farm.  Apparently the 2x4 was loose enough for Glenda to push or rub against it and we came home to a scene of donkey fun!

The Culprit & A Pile Of Nails .....

We found the 2x4 on the ground and hoofprints everywhere in the shed.  She mouthed & carried stuff all over the place.  There's only one thing to do for the nails ..... we got our magnet and picked them all up.

Picking Up Nails At The Scene Of The Crime!

She knocked over the drill bit box, but luckily, only a couple of bits fell out.  The trash pile in the corner of the building was scattered too.  Must have been fun carrying all of that stuff around!

Nails & Drill Bit Box

Anyway, after the clean up, the board was securely nailed back up and Glenda was locked out again.
So ...... here's an update on the building.  The louvers are made from hemlock boards.

Cherry Siding & Hemlock Louvers

PA 2012 Performance Tested Ram Sale Results!

Dorper Rams - Sold As Bidders "Choice" of Lot 20 ($650) & Lot 21 ($775)

Yes, we made it to the 2012 Pennsylvania Performance Tested Ram Lamb & Meat Goat Buck Sale on Saturday. The sale is held at the PDA Livestock Evaluation Center in Pennsylvania Furnace, just outside of State College, PA.  We didn't stay for the meat goat buck sale and we didn't come home with a new ram either.  We aren't really in "need" of a ram, but it's good to go and keep track of the prices and statistics on the rams each year ..... we did get in on the bidding for one of the Junior Dorset rams, but dropped out.  Prices have gone up and there is a minimum $300 bid on the rams.  Still that would be a great bargain - 2 rams were "walked" and only 4 went for that price.   Look at the Sale Catalog & photos to match the Lot Numbers pictured to the winning bids below. 

Senior Texel (L) - Lot#10 - $550 --- Senior Dorset (R) - Lot#1 - $950

As far as breeding for meat sires goes, more breeders are placing Dorpers, White Dorpers, Katadin, & Texels into the ram test program.  To illustrate the differences, just look at the Senior Texel - Lot #10 & the Senior Dorset - Lot #1 above. The Texel was born on 10/30/11 & the Dorset was born on 10/2/11.  I've heard people refer to Texels as "meat wagons" and you can see it here.  Lot #12, a Junior Texel sold for $1000. 
The Junior Dorset Lot#3 - highest indexing - a triplet RR - went for $800.  The rest of the Junior Dorsets ranged from $300 to $600 & Lot#4 was walked. 
The highest priced ram in the sale was Suffolk Lot #25, a twin RR ram tied for the highest rate of gain in the test @ 1.18 lb/day.   Suffolks ranged from $500 to $1,100 for the top Suffolk #25. 
The top Senior Dorper Lot #17 went for $900 and the Junior Dorpers ranged from $625 to $800.  White Dorper Lot # 34 sold for $750 (Lot #33 was scratched before the auction). 
The top indexing Katadin, Lot #27, a triplet RR ram, sold for $850.  The other 3 Katadins ranged from $300 to $800. 
The 3 Polypay rams were offered as a choice of all three at once.  Lots #41 & 43 went to the top bidder for $625 each and the third one, Lot #42 went separately for $600. 
The Shopshire ram, Lot #35 went for $700 after active bidding.  We were also interested in him - he had the 4th highest weight /day gain, but there were some very interested Shrop breeders there! 
The Merino sold for $300 and the Southdown was "walked". 
Thanks to all of the purebred consignors who bring these rams to test so we all can benefit from buying the best of the performance tested rams!   They don't all make the cut for the sale.

Merino, 3 Polypays, Shropshire, & Southdown Before Auction

PA Ram Sale Saturday!

Wild Rose Farm will be going to the Pennsylvania 2012 Performance Tested Ram & Goat Sale on Saturday August 4th.
We missed it last year, but we like to stay in touch with fellow sheep producers and keep on top of the ram prices.  If you are in need of a ram or Boer Goat buck, this is the place to be!  You can look at the Sale Catalog & pictures posted by the PA Dept of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center.  There's no guessing when you have the performance data, measurements & scans to review.  We have been happy with the rams we've brought home from the auction over the years including our prior Rambouillet ram ........

We'll report back and maybe we'll see you there!

Off To A New Home!

Wild Rose Farm Ewes - Off They Go! 

These two Wild Rose Farm Rambouillet ewes are off to a new home and a show career.  They were sold a while ago, but the stars aligned (I wasn't traveling for business!) and they were picked up yesterday.  We also didn't want to move them the last few weeks when it was SO HOT. 
The bigger ewe, WRF #0304 is a twin yearling ewe out of our performance tested ram & our ewe WRF #321 ..... she is currently 9 years old and just had a set of twin ram lambs this spring.    The smaller one, WRF #0337 is a twin ewe lamb born this May sired by our current home-bred ram, WRF #402. You'll  remember him as our last lamb out of the venerable grandma, WRF #802 .....  she is 14 now and has earned her retirement.  If you're looking at our blog pictures, WRF ram #402 is the sire of all of the lambs this year and we've got some nice ones.  His cross-bred ewe lambs, as well as his registered ram lambs are for sale.
We really like it when our ewe lambs go off to a new flock!

The Rams



PA Performance Tested Rambouillet Ram

 It's getting close to lambing time when we feature the ewes and lambs at Wild Rose Farm.  Of course to have lambs, the rams are needed, but most of the time they are separated out and kept close to the barn. 
To the left is our PA Performance Tested Rambouillet ram ---- he'll be the sire of all of the lambs that we'll have this spring.  This was his second breeding season here, so we are considering selling him, but may keep him to breed the older ewes.  It just depends ..... you never know what's going to happen on a farm!  He is looking out of his pen towards this next "little fellow" below, a ram lamb that we kept from last year.  He's still young and skittish around people.  That changes when they get older.  You don't get in the pen with the big ram and you don't turn your back on any ram. 
Wild Rose Farm blog followers will remember our ram lamb from this picture last summer with his dam, our 12 year old matriarch, #802.  He has grown quite a bit since that time.  He's in the barn paddock with "U" for companionship.  We'll have a look at them to compare size in our next post. 

Rambouillet Ram Lamb

Ram Sale Results ......

The usual local contingent didn't make it to the PA Performance Tested Ram Lamb & Meat Goat Buck Sale on Saturday, but Wild Rose Farm was there to bring back the details!  We weren't looking for anything this year, but attending the sale keeps us up on trends from year to year.  This year, the first sale Lots 1 through 10 were the high indexing rams from each of the test categories.  Then the sale went in order of the ram test indices breed by breed in each of the categories.  The performance tested rams sold first, followed by the invitational ewe sale, then the performance tested bucks, and finally the invitational doe sale.  If you aren't into meat goats, maybe you should be!  It seems that the majority of the meat goat folks are from the central & eastern part of Pennsylvania .... based on the winning bids for the top 16 bucks that we stayed to watch, there must be a good demand for goat meat.  Here's a picture of one of the "red" bucks moving around the sale ring ...... his left side was all red. 

The sale prices for the bucks - all 100% Boer goats - ranged from $275 - $1000 for the top 15 that we watched.

Ram sale prices (as promised) for those of you that missed the sale were as follows for the top 10 high indexing rams :

Lot 1= $300, lot #2= $350, lot#3=$425, lot#4=$400, lot#5=$400, lot#6=$325, lot#7=$425, lot#8=$250, lot#8=$250, & lot#10=$250.   

The WRF "statistical favorite", Senior. Dorset ram lot#11 went for $400 and a little bidding war erupted with Suffolk ram lot# 31 for $700, the highest price in the ram sale.  Two of the Texel rams, lot #'s 44 & 45 sold for $525 each.   FYI, the minimum bid required to purchase a ram was $250.  As a side note to the sheep owners, most of these rams could not be purchased directly from their home farms for the reasonable prices that they bring at this auction.  See you next year ...............

PA Ram Sale This Saturday!

If you're in the market for a new ram or Boer buck, Wild Rose Farm heartily recommends the PDA 2010 Performance Tested Ram Lamb & Meat Goat Buck Sale  scheduled for Saturday August 7th in the State College area!  If you remember, from our point of view, we had a great success bidding & bringing home a registered Rambouillet ram last August.   And now here's the latest on him ....... we just got the results from Yocum-McColl Testing Labs on his micron test from our spring shearing.   His fleece tested at 19.8 microns (!) with a standard deviation of 3.2 microns and .7% of the fibers greater than 30 microns.  The fibers greater than 30 microns are where what is referred to as the "itch factor" comes into play.  In other words, if your wool fibers are higher than 30 microns, the wool feels itchy next to the skin.  These are excellent test results for what we are trying to achieve in breeding fineness of wool and longer staple length for our fleeces.  He was Lot #162 in the 2009 sale catalog. 
In particular, if you are looking for rams to sire meaty lambs for your farm or to add scrapie resistance, this is the place to get a ram.  Check out the 2010 Sale Catalog  for complete test results on the rams to be auctioned off on Saturday.  IMHO, this is the way for beginners & experienced shepherds alike to buy a ram with known performance & genetics..... NOT through your local sale barn!  :) 
Based on the numbers, WRF has a prediciton on the high selling ram on Saturday ........ hmmmm.  See if you can find him.  Clue ..... he is white-faced.  

Successful Bidder

Well, we weren't really on a summer vacation, just a little trip up to State College for the PA Performance Tested Ram Sale at the PDA Livestock Evaluation Center on Saturday. We ended up placing the successful bid on a new Rambouillet ram for Wild Rose Farm. No pictures of him just yet because it's been raining since we got home. There was quite a selection of breeds on test this year .... something for everyone. The rams are run out into the ring for bidding and in the case of this group of Texel rams, the buyer gets to pick their choice of the rams in the group or take all three at "3 times the money" of his successful bid. Most rams were brought out individually to be sold. In this case, all 3 rams were under one ownership, so they elected to have them all in the sale ring at the same time. Imagine the meaty lambs that these guys will sire.

After the sale was over, the rams were going home to their new farms in every kind of set-up imaginable. Everything from regular stock trailers, to the new aluminum haulers, to wooden racks built in the pick-up beds, to MY FAVORITE set-up, this recycled fence pen complete with decorative gate. This rack gets the "green" award for the day for best use of recycled materials .... sturdy, light weight, collapsable, "attractive"!